The spirit is evident but there is something about the prospect of Bucharest in June that doesn't quite fit, particularly when the summer's main event is gearing up on the far side of the Equator.
After a gruelling season with Bath, Kevin Maggs finds himself contemplating this unexpected international weekend in oldest Europe.
Maggs's loyalty and professionalism guarantees that his sizeable frame will be ready for the more combative elements of the Romanian game-plan but when he distances himself from Ireland's forthcoming rugby agenda, he can't but wonder.
An Irish sports administrator recently quipped that after all his years in sport, it was the first time that he ever saw a sports season cancelled by hoofed animals. Maggs might concur and is dubious about the intentions of kick-starting the truncated Six Nations series next autumn.
"I can't see the sense of carrying it into next October to be honest. Foot-and-mouth has happened and there is nothing anyone can do about it now. For those players that are on the Lions, well, when they return they are going to be extremely tired and to face into more internationals is a very gruelling task.
"I just wonder if the season couldn't just have been cancelled with a renewed concentration on next season. It puts an awful lot of pressure on our Lions players when they come back."
The departure of Rob Henderson and Brian O'Driscoll for seven weeks presents Maggs with an obvious opportunity. They may be occupying the most coveted shirts in the Northern Hemisphere but they are also vacating the Irish midfield positions. Warren Gatland has traditionally shown loyalty to the player in possession.
This low-wattage trip to Bucharest has been painted up as opportunity knocks. With the Irish side evolving into a settled force over the past two seasons, team fluctuation has slowed to a trickle. Saturday's jaunt in the city known as little Paris means 80 minutes in which to showcase.
"Yeah, obviously the team started very well in the Six Nations and that has made it difficult for players to maybe get a chance," he says. "And once the Lions players are back and settled, it will become tougher again. So, undeniably this presents an opportunity for players, including myself, to stake a claim and to push players for places.
"But the only way we can do that is by beating Romania well, by performing in this match."
And he believes it will not necessarily be that easy. The cordons are down for this one, there is little of the formality and none of the atmosphere that precedes the home internationals. Rugby, when all is said and done, is small beer in Bucharest.
"We will approach this the same as any game we travel to. It will be a tough environment, it will be hostile and they will be full of passion, especially early on. But we have prepared well for this and now have to carry that through to the field."
Chances are that Maggs will have little difficulty in doing that. He has observed Rob Henderson's lightning ascent from first-choice Irish centre to Lions XV candidate with good wishes and stoicism. Renowned and appreciated for his rock solidity at Bath, he has felt the vagaries of international form before.
"Look, I will approach this the same as any other squad game," he insists. "I want to do my best for Ireland. You are only as good as your last game. As for my involvement with the squad after this match, well, I will just have to wait and see."
Romania will be without several key players, coach Mircea Paraschiv said yesterday. Scrumhalf and team captain Petre Mitu, who plays for French club Aurillac, is ruled out. His team-mate, flanker Alexandru Manta, will miss the game for disciplinary reasons while prop Dragos Dima is on club duty with Castres.
Romania Squad: Forwards: S Florea (Grivita Rosie Bucharest), P Balan (Dinamo Bucharest), M Socaciu (Universitatea Cluj), V Nedelcu (Dinamo Bucharest), D Chiriac (Saint Claude), F Corodeanu (Stade Aurillacois), C Mersoiu (Steaua Bucharest), M Bejan (Rulmentul Birlad), M Dragomir (Dinamo Bucharest), D Tudosa (Steaua Bucharest), D Iacob (Farul Constanta), S Soare (Dinamo Bucharest), S Demci (Dinamo Bucharest), G Chiriac (Politehnica Iasi), O Tonita (Grenoble); Backs: C Podea (Universitatea Cluj), I Tofan (Steaua Bucharest), V Maftei (Stade Aurillacois), V Ghioc (Dinamo Bucharest), M Ciolacu (Albertville), G Brezoianu (Begles Bordeaux), L Sarbu (Steaua Bucharest), I Teodorescu (Universitatea Cluj), S Guranescu (Dinamo Bucharest), M Ezaru (Steaua Bucharest)
